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Library terminology

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Goals• After working through this module, you will:• Understand basic library terminology• Become familiar with terms used in the context of conducting research• Discover the difference between certain terms used to describe similar things in libraries and research resources in the library and beyond

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Why?• Like any place or discipline, libraries and information organizations have a specialized vocabulary.• This can be a source of confusion, so I want to get you in the know!

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In the library• Stacks-where the books are. There are specific stacks like the 3rd floor stacks or the reference stacks.• Commons-the area of the library where there’s lots of people and computers

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In the library• Reference desk-the place where you will find a reference librarian to help answer your questions about research. You may also hear it called the information desk, information, help desk…• Circulation desk-the place in the library where you can check out books, but you may also ask general questions or start research there. You may also hear it called the access services desk, circ desk, circ, check out station…

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Reserves• If you haven’t used reserves already, you will.• Reserves are required reading/listening/viewing materials set aside by professors for their students. Usually, these items are for short-term use, and may be “in library use only.”• UWG Reserves info:• http://www.westga.edu/library/index_12254. php

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Fun fact!• Did you know the Ingram Library at UWG has a 24/7 online chat reference service?• http://tinyurl.com/9fjmyat• It is staffed by UWG librarians and other librarians from around the world who will help you any time of the day or night.

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In the library• Catalog (aka library catalog, online catalog, UWG GIL catalog, GIL Universal catalog)• This is a term that’s easy to over-complicate.• In its most basic form, a CATALOG allows us to find out where and how--in the building or beyond—we can access materials (books, CD’s, movies, and more)

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When I’m using a catalog• I can search in a number of different ways to find an item, or to find information on a topic.• To search the UWG Catalog, you can start on the library home page:• http://www.westga.edu/library/index.php

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A search for bluest eye by title tells me if the library has it, and where it is. Note thatone of these is an e-book!

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In the library• Interlibrary loan (aka ILL)-this is the best thing ever. If they don’t have a book or article or CD or DVD (though that’s harder) at UWG or your primary library, in most cases, the ILL staff can get it for you.• The process does take a little time, which is why it is important to always PLAN AHEAD for research, so you can use the best sources possible from around the world!• UWG ILL: http://libguides.westga.edu/interlibraryloan

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Fun fact!• Libraries around the world share their information in a single database. It is called WorldCat, and anyone can search it for free:• www.worldcat.org• This is the same database ILL staff use in order to find and place interlibrary loan requests.

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In the library• Periodicals-any item (magazine, newspaper, scholarly journal) published at regular intervals (more than once a year)-you may also encounter the term “serial.”• Books-A general term for, you guessed it, books• Monographs-A special type of books–a monograph is a detailed written study of a single specialized subject or an aspect of it.

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Beyond the library• The next set of terms are for things one will find or access OUTSIDE the library spaces.

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Database• We use “databases” in several different ways.• Let’s cut through the confusion.• Database is a generic term for an organized collection of information, generally in a computer accessible format.

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So the library catalog is a database, right?• Yes.• This is where it gets a little strange.• When you hear librarians say “search a database” why do they get annoyed if you search the catalog?

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What we mean by “database”• The reason we get annoyed if we tell you search a database and you go out and search the catalog or Google (Google is a database right? Right.)• Is because what we want you to search is one of the hundreds of wonderful databases we go out and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for you to access

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Huh? But…• …the catalog database must have cost lots of money, too?• Yes. That’s true.• What we want you to search though are databases on GALILEO or that the library subscribes to.

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I have no idea what you’re talking about Mr. Palmer…• I know. It’s completely confusing. Let’s keep at it.• The library catalog is a database, but for our purposes, we’re calling it the catalog.• GALILEO is ALSO a database…a database OF databases.

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Wha?• Information is a commodity. Good information costs money.• The library purchases databases with the best possible content, both in broad subjects and specific subjects, like psychology.• Do you ever order stuff via pay-per-view on TV? It’s a lot like that.

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I want to see The Hunger Games• And I don’t want to leave my house.• I browse around the channels. It isn’t on “regular TV” even though a lot of movies are.• I use the search feature on my cable box.

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Yay! I found it!• I found the Hunger Games.• Pros- – I can watch it right now on PPV – There will be no ads or distractions – It’s the exact same movie as it was in the theater• Cons- – $5.99!

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Databases libraries provide for you…• Are a LOT like this• You’ve already paid the fee (so use the info!)• They are subject specific, so you can find the item you want• Often, you will find the item in full text!

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I’m game! Where are these databases?• GALILEO– Students have access to authoritative, subscription-only information that isnt available through free search engines or Web directories• See? Searching Google is a lot like surfing channels. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and find free access to a book or article you are looking for, but it’ll most likely cost you!

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First…get a GALILEO password• You’ll need to make sure everything is set up and ready to go by accessing your GALILEO password. The library has a web page to help you do that:• http://www.westga.edu/library/index_12219. php• Once you have the GALILEO password, you can access it from ANYWHERE!

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Accessing GALILEO and other databases @ UWG• http://www.galileo.usg.edu/scholar/westga/s ubjects/• There are also online guides to help you find databases and other research sources by subject:• http://libguides.westga.edu/

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Search engine• A program for the retrieval of data, files, or documents from a database or network, especially on the Internet.• So that means…

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All these have a search engine…• Google—Yes, Google is MOSTLY a search engine, but it has other parts (database, web crawlers, etc)• GALILEO• Specific databases on GALILEO• The library catalog• But that does not MAKE them search engines

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So in other words…• A search engine is a tool that makes a database (catalog, subject specific database, etc) work…• So don’t let me hear you calling a GALILEO database a search engine. Got it? It has one, but it isn’t one. Agreed?• Most likely, if I refer to a search engine, I mean Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.—even if that isn’t entirely and completely true, it is acceptable terminology

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More terminology—to review• Become familiar with all the terms on this guide:• http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/lingo.html• And get ready for your first Quiz!• Complete quiz 1 by midnight on Tuesday, September 4, 2012.